Waxwing wind up

      I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.  ~Henry David Thoreau       

Why do birds sing in the morning?                                                                   It's the triumphant shout:  

 "We got through another night!"

 Enid Bagnold                                               

                

 Click on any picture to enlarge

Three days ago, it was too warm.  Yesterday, back to chilly, today, downright cold.  

Two days ago, I posted the beautiful Waxwings.
Friday, was another show.  They are so fascinating to watch.  The pickings were slim on this day.
The birds were up in the tall trees.  It almost looked as if the clean up process was choreographed.

I set up camera, chair, wine, and waited.  When the show started it was fast and furious.  They became so excited that some would fly into the window.  I finally stood up to break the glare.
The window was reflecting the sky and as proof of how distracting the glare can be, the upper half of the window has a huge series of cracks.  Thank goodness for double pane windows!
A hawk was intent on its prey and flew right into the window.

The only regret I have is that I missed out on them feeding on the ground.  They were picking up berries that had fallen.

Birds of a feather flock together and crap on your car. ~Author unknown

 

Bluebirds are busy

“In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.” 

― Robert Lynd

“She decided to free herself, dance into the wind, create a new language. And birds fluttered around her, writing “yes” in the sky.” 

― Monique Duval

Don't forget to
click on picture to enlarge.

While I was busy shooting pictures of Waxwings, I inadvertently caught this precious picture.
No mistaking a male with a bit of nesting material.
I wonder where they are building the nest. I hope in the bird house they used last year.

I do have to tell a Waxwing story
We have a friend who is an avid animal rescuer in the Austin area.  They have animals on their beautiful place all the time.
One time, a mom brought her son with a box of sick looking birds, hoping our friend could save them.
Our friend told them they were not sick, they were drunk!
They had over done the berries and were falling down drunk.

Waxwings are here!

 Welcome, welcome, little stranger,
Fear no harm, and fear no danger;
We are glad to see you here,
For you sing "Sweet Spring is near."

~Louisa May Alcott, "To The First Robin," 1840

The waxwings have been perching in our trees for about a week.  The days I attempted photographing them were always overcast and grey and very windy.  Yesterday, I drove in the driveway from shopping run.  There was a wild flurry of wings as the waxwings burst out of a Yaupon tree by our patio.

This morning, things are very different.  42° is not an auspicious time to walk out in robe and slippers.  "Just checking"   I was privileged to see dozens of waxwings settling in the tops of our tallest trees.  Fascinating!

I got so excited!  Turned around and hightailed back to the house and my camera. Hubby watching his nutty wife whiz through the living room.  I am sure he knew what was happening.

For the next 30 minutes or so, I was laughing and crying at the sight.  Dozens and dozens of waxwings would swoop on to the top most branches, only to be "crowded" by their companions.

At one point the branches were crowded with these beautiful birds.  

I started shooting pictures,  wishing I had my tripod.  Not really necessary, as it turns out.  Most of the photos are not blurry even catching birds in flight.  

My heart is full.